Free Idea of the Week: Town Lake

Located smack dab in the middle of town, Town Lake is the dammed in portion of the Colorado River. Recently named after the wife of former president Lyndon B. Johnson, Lady Bird Lake offers a serene getaway within walking distance of downtown.

The lake deserves credit for keeping many Austinites healthy through its extensive hike and bike trails. Running on either side of the waterway, the trails provide a much better alternative to the treadmill. For a small fee, visitors can rent kayaks to take out on the calm waters.

Free Idea of the Week: Greenbelt

Austin's very own Greenbelt includes approximately 8 miles of trail and 800 acres of pure nature. Thousands of visitors a year come to hike, bike, walk their dogs, and enjoy the great outdoors. Best of all, it's free.

Located off of Loop 360 and MoPac, the Greenbelt offers a more rural and natural setting than Zilker Park. With Barton Creek running through it, their are plenty of watering holes for you and your dog.

Free Idea of the Week: Halloween

For this week's free idea, check out the third FreeAustinTx podcast. To subscribe to my podcast through iTunes, click the 'Advanced' tab in iTunes, then 'Subscribe to Podcast', then simply copy and past the above link's URL into the space and click 'OK'. You should now receive each podcast as I post them.

Free Idea of the Week: Farmer's Market

For this week's free idea, check out the second FreeAustinTx podcast. To subscribe to my podcast through iTunes, click the 'Advanced' tab in iTunes, then 'Subscribe to Podcast', then simply copy and past the above link's URL into the space and click 'OK'. You should now receive each podcast as I post them.

Free Event of the Day: Longhorn Volleyball

Lost in the all the hype surrounding the No. 1 Texas football team's undefeated season is another highly-ranked Longhorn sports team. The third-ranked women's volleyball team is enjoying a great season with a record of 16-2. The team boasts numerous All-Americans, highlighted by outside hitters Destinee Hooker and Juliann Faucette.

The team plays most Wednesdays and Saturdays each fall at Gregory Gym on UT's campus. The action is just as intense as Texas football and the environment is almost as electric. Admission to Longhorn volleyball games is free with UT ID and the Longhorn All-Sports Pass, which is also necessary for entry to the football games.

There are six home games left in the regular season, the next three are as follows:
Oct. 29 vs. Oklahoma 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 1 vs. Texas A&M 5 p.m.
Nov. 12 vs. Texas Tech 6:30 p.m.

Free Event of the Day: Gavin DeGraw

American singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw will be performing live at the Texas Union Ballroom Thursday at 7 p.m. Admittance is free with a UT student ID. There are no passes handed out beforehand, so show up early on the day of the show. The concert is part of the Union's week-long 75th anniversary celebration, which includes appearances by Margaret Cho and Maya Angelou.

Born in New York State, DeGraw creates pop music in the mold of John Mayer. His big hits: "I Don't Want To Be" and "In Love with a Girl" each reached the US Top 25 charts.

Free Event of the Day: Margaret Cho

American comedienne/actress Margaret Cho will be performing at the Texas Union Ballroom Monday at 7 p.m., kicking off the week-long celebration of the Union's 75th anniversary. Free passes must be picked up prior to the performance on the 4th floor of the Union. UT ID is required to pick up two passes although not to get into the show.

Born in San Francisco, Cho is best known for her stand-up and her mid-90s sitcom, All American Girl. She has become an role model in the Asian-American and LGBTQ communities.

Free Event of the Day: SoReal Cru

One of America's Best Dance Crews, as determined by the popular MTV show, will be performing at the Texas Union Ballroom Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. Must have UT ID in order to pick up two free passes ahead of time Union Info Desk on the fourth floor. UT ID not required for admittance. 

Hailing from Houston, the Asian-American hip-hop dance crew finished second place in the second season of the MTV show. Various UT dance crews will take part in the performance. 

Free Idea of the Week: Congress Street Bats

For this week's free idea, check out my first FreeAustinTx podcast. To subscribe to my podcast through iTunes, click the 'Advanced' tab in iTunes, then 'Subscribe to Podcast', then simply copy and past the above link's URL into the space and click 'OK'. You should now receive each podcast as I post them.

Free Event of the Day: Maya Angelou

American author, poet and political activist Maya Angelou will appear on the UT campus Tuesday, October 21 at 7 p.m. Free passes will be handed out to UT students beginning one week prior to the lecture. Must have a UT ID card to receive the passes but you can get up to two. Once you have a pass, UT ID not required to enter. 

Angelou's visit will take place at the Texas Union Ballroom to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the UT student union. There will be other events occuring during the week of the October 20-24, including performances by Gavin Degraw and (possibly) Margaret Cho.

Born in St. Louis, Angelou has become a household name for her work as a prolific writer. She has written autobiographies, poetry and screenplays. She has done some acting and read poetry at Bill Clinton's presidential inauguration.

Free Event of the Day: Saul Williams

Musician/poet/writer/actor Saul Williams will perform at the University of Texas Union Ballroom Thursday night. Admission is free so long as you pick up a pass beforehand at the Events & Info Desk on the 4th floor of the Union. You must be a UT student to pick up the pass although I don't believe a UT ID is required to enter. One student may obtain up to two passes.

Born in New York, Williams' life has seen him earn his masters from NYU, star in the independent film Slam, and produce music with NIN's Trent Reznor. He mixes hip-hop and poetry to create a truly unique listening experience.

Free Event of the Weekend: ACL Autographs

Alright, so it's not entirely free. The autograph signings occur under the Waterloo Records tent within the festival grounds. The tent is located near the main entrance on Barton Springs Road (to the left once you enter). Click here for the schedule.

Friday's signing schedule includes Donavon Frankenreiter, Vampire Weekend and Hot Chip. MGMT and Drive-by Truckers will be signing autographs Saturday. Blues Traveler and Neko Case highlight Sunday's signing lineup.

If there's a band you're dieing to meet on the list, schedule your festival itinerary accordingly, allowing yourself time if there is a long line. If there's a lull in your personalized ACL schedule in which there is no band you care for on stage, check out the tent and meet some real live rockstars.

Free Event of the Day: White Denim

Indie rock band White Denim, along with Belaire, Black Joe Lewis and Freshmillions, will perform live tomorrow night at the Mohawk Lounge. The show is free with RSVP or flier. The event is hosted by ATX Converge and the music starts at 9pm. I believe all ages are welcome.

White Denim and female-led Belaire are both up-and-coming Austin rock bands. Local, electro-funk outfit Freshmillions figure to provide the perfect opening act.

The most unique of the bunch might just be Black Joe Lewis. The local blues/soul singer and his band will be one tough act to follow.

Free Event of the Day: Redman

The rapper Redman will be performing live at the Parish tonight and it's totally free. All you have to do is RSVP with your name and email address. Must be 21 or older. The free show is hosted by carmaker Scion and there will be at least one opening act.

The concert is part of the Metro Austin series. I saw Bun B of UGK at the Parish for free about a month ago. The music and the venue were great. I missed out on the online signup but they were not checking names at the door.

Redman, of New Jersey, has been in the rap game since his debut album in 1992. Consider this show a preview to his non-free upcoming concert with Method Man at Stubbs Nov. 18. Let's hope it's better than their movie How High.